Ariel could only shake her head. 

She knew better than anyone how much the Emperor cherished Kylance. 

He was the only child of the Emperor’s younger sibling. Having lost his parents at a young age, the Emperor had treated Kylance as his own son, so much so that there had once been rumours that Kylance would be named Crown Prince. 

There was no way the Emperor would reverse his decision. 

No matter how respected Countess Forte was in the Empire, her influence was nowhere near Kylance’s. 

And Kylance knew that only too well. That’s why he had made up his mind. 

To remove the Blante family from the Pentium Empire. 

“You bastard.” 

Ariel finally let out the curse she had been holding back. 

For the daughter of a Marquis to curse like that, and in a public place no less, would have scandalised high society. 

But for now, Ariel was frustrated that it was the only insult she knew. 

The intense betrayal and resentment Ariel felt towards Kylance could not be soothed with mere curses. 

‘How… how could you do this…’

‘Do you want me to die?’ 

Ariel clutched her chest, overwhelmed by the crushing pain inside. She could feel her heart pounding – beating so fast it made her dizzy. 

Gripping the fabric of her dress tightly, she tried to steady herself, but her erratic breathing refused to settle. 

“Gah…!” 

As hyperventilation blurred her vision and her body swayed, a strong force caught her before she fell. 

A large hand gripped her shoulder, and someone’s firm grip held her trembling body upright. A deep voice whispered in her ear. 

“Lady Blante, cover your mouth with both hands and breathe slowly.” 

Through her blurred consciousness, the voice sounded familiar. 

With no time to think of anything else, Ariel did as she was told and covered her mouth with both hands. 

She had to get out of this overwhelming, suffocating state first. 

How many breaths had she taken? Slowly, the feeling of her heart bursting and her erratic breathing returned to normal. 

“Hah… ha… ha…” 

As her mind began to clear, Ariel slowly turned her head to look at the man who had helped her. 

Her eyes met a pair of ordinary brown eyes. 

His tousled grey hair and unremarkable face were far from memorable, but Ariel recognised him. 

She called out to him slowly. 

“Tower Master.” 

The Tower Master’s eyes widened in surprise. He looked at her and spoke, his tone filled with wonder. 

“Oh, you recognised me at once. I think the only time you’ve seen this face was in the Marquisate of Bayern… and it’s hardly memorable, is it?” 

“You can change your face, but not your eyes or your voice.” 

Ariel hadn’t recognised him by his appearance, but by his gaze and the pleasant sound of his voice. 

The Tower Master hesitated for a moment before a playful smile spread across his face. 

“Well… it seems I’ll have to develop a voice-changing spell quickly. At this rate, I won’t be able to sneak around unnoticed anymore.” 

Ariel let out a weak laugh and put more strength into her legs to steady herself. 

“Thanks for your help.” 

She tried to pull away from him, intending to keep going, but the Tower Master wouldn’t let go of her shoulder. 

His smile faded in an instant, replaced by a serious expression as he spoke. 

“There is no one around. Let me help you a little more, Lady Blante. For now… it’s all right to lean on me.” 

His words, as if he knew everything, made Ariel’s green eyes waver. 

Had he heard the news too? 

Of course, if the rumours had spread far enough to reach the students, it was probably all over the capital by now. 

Lowering her gaze, Ariel replied quietly. 

“Please, just to my carriage.”

“In return, would you let me ride in your carriage? I’ve walked quite a distance and my knees hurt.” 

Ariel instinctively gave him a look of disbelief. 

How could someone who could teleport great distances claim to have sore knees from walking? 

It was an absurd lie that even a passing child wouldn’t believe. But the Tower Master simply offered his trademark playful smile and winked mischievously as he spoke. 

As if asking her to play along and let it go. 

Ariel gave him a look that said he was impossible to deal with, then let out a small laugh as she replied, 

“All right. I’ll take you where you need to go.” 

What did it matter if the lie was flimsy? After all, it was probably a lie told for her sake. 

She realised that the Tower Master was acting out of concern for her precarious situation. 

And she really was on the verge of collapse, so Ariel allowed herself to lean on him. If she didn’t, she felt as if she really might collapse. 

“Then I’ll gratefully accept the ride again, my lady.” 

And so Ariel and the Tower Master made their way to the carriage, hiding their true feelings from each other. 

As if nothing had happened. 

As soon as the carriage began to move, the Tower Master dispelled his magic of illusion. Instantly, the hidden elegance of Aster’s striking features was revealed. 

His golden hair shimmered and his enchanting appearance was almost otherworldly. 

She had noticed it before, but looking at Aster now, she understood why he was nicknamed the ‘Silent Siren’. There was an alluring aura about him that could captivate anyone. 

If she hadn’t already grown accustomed to Kylance’s extraordinary looks, she might have been completely bewitched by Aster. 

Of course, the two men gave completely opposite impressions. 

If Kylance resembled a statuesque masterpiece, Aster was more like a painting come to life. 

Ariel found herself comparing the two for a moment and let out a faint, ironic laugh. It wasn’t the time to idly compare the looks of two men. 

The Emperor, who had ordered the Blante family’s removal from the plaque of the Founding Fathers, and Kylance, who had petitioned for the Blante family’s disgrace? 

As the weight of reality returned, Ariel felt a wave of darkness closing in on her vision. 

She had never imagined that it would come to such a disaster. After all, the Blante family was a prestigious noble house and a founding family that held the sword of the former Emperor, a potential bargaining chip against the current ruler. 

She had been sure that the title wouldn’t be taken from her. 

And yet Kylance had cruelly dashed that hope before her eyes. 

If His Majesty were to issue an order tomorrow stripping the Blante family of their title, what would she do? 

What would happen to her family, to the members of her family, to the people of her estate? 

If they were suddenly reduced from nobles to commoners, her aunt would be devastated. 

Her cousin’s future would undoubtedly be ruined. 

As for the inhabitants of the estate, they would probably be sold for a pittance to another noble family who would treat them badly. 

If it were only her own downfall she had to bear… she could bear it. Bear it all while harbouring a bitter hatred for Kylance. 

But I’m not alone… Will I have to go to Kylance after all? 

The thought of seeking out the man who had crushed her so completely was horrifying. She despised the idea. But at the moment, she couldn’t think of any other way to resolve this situation. 

It was humiliating, but Kylance was probably the only one who could change the Emperor’s decision. 

Is this what you wanted all along? For me to come crawling to you, begging on my knees in utter disgrace? 

If so, why? 

What have I done to deserve such a punishment? 

Ariel sighed, burdened with questions to which she would never receive answers. 

And as she slowly raised her eyes, she met Aster’s. 

“Ah…” 

Ariel let out a startled sound, realising that she hadn’t exchanged a single word with him since boarding the carriage. 

She hadn’t even thanked him properly. Realising this, Ariel forced an awkward smile and finally spoke. 

“I’m sorry. I got lost in my own thoughts and neglected my guest.” 

“Guest? I’m the one hitching a ride in your carriage, so there’s no need to worry about me.”

Aster replied with a dismissive wave of his hand, feigning nonchalance. 

Ariel, however, replied softly, her tone steady. 

“You got me into the carriage because you were afraid I was going to collapse, weren’t you?” 

Unlike before, she didn’t let his feigned indifference pass. 

Aster’s lips twitched slightly, his playful demeanour changing for a moment. Ariel took the opportunity to continue. 

“Thank you for helping me. If it wasn’t for you, I probably would have collapsed right there.” 

“…” 

Aster said nothing in response, his silence filling the space between them. 

It was clear that Aster wasn’t unaware of the Emperor’s decree against the Blante family. If he hadn’t known, he would have asked what had happened. 

Instead, he simply looked at her – steadily, without a flicker of hesitation in his gaze. 

Strangely, it was his silence that helped calm her troubled heart. 

For that brief moment, it was as if nothing had happened. 

Instead of awkward words of comfort, his quiet presence was far more reassuring. So Ariel spoke only about what had happened between them. 

“I feel so indebted to you, Master Aster. But I promise that one day I’ll repay your kindness – twice, no, more than twice.” 

Aster, seeing her make such a heartfelt vow, let out a small chuckle. 

“I’ve told you before. The help you gave my younger sibling means the world to me. That alone is enough.” 

“Even so…”

“Besides, with my abilities, this much kindness doesn’t even count as real help. So feel free to ask me for more. For example, I could give you one of the mana mines in the tower…” 

“…What?” 

A mana mine? 

Due to their rarity, mana mines were a source of immense wealth for anyone who owned one. 

Selling even a portion of the ownership rights to the royal family could secure a highly coveted title of nobility. 

Yet here he was, casually offering her one.